During the summer the fruit situation at my house gets a little out of control. It’s piling up on the kitchen counter. It’s rolling around on the floor. Don’t even get me started on the shenanigans going on inside the fruitbowl. Let’s just say the plums have some explaining to do. I digress. So what do you do when life gives you fruit? Why, throw it in a jar of brandy and spices of course! At least that’s what went through my head when I laid eyes on the first Rainier cherries of the season a while back.
Everyone always makes red brandied cherries, so I couldn’t help but switch it up a bit. I followed this recipe here. For the cocktail I wanted something elegant, something bright, that would accentuate the vibrant cherry within. I immediately thought eau de vie – clear fruit brandy. I picked up a bottle of kirsch from St. George Spirits. Everything else just fell into place. I added a bit of sweetness with some elderflower, balanced out by a crisp apéritif. Some smooth summer sipping, indeed.
INGREDIENTS
- 2 oz kirsch
- 1/2 oz Cocchi Americano
- 1/2 oz St. Germain elderflower liqueur
- brandied Rainier cherry (for garnish)
INSTRUCTIONS
- Start by chilling your glass. Either pop it in the freezer or fill it with ice cubes.
- Next, add all the ingredients to your mixing glass.
- Add ice and stir for a full minute. Your mixing glass will be well-frosted. Discard the ice from your chilled cocktail glass and strain in your cocktail.
- Garnish with a brandied Rainier cherry. Brandied cherries take a little while to make. Don't worry, you can enjoy the cocktail in the meantime with fresh cherries (pitted).
NOTES
For a great brandied cherry recipe, check out this one from Imbibe(images by HonestlyYUM)
Thanks Todd. Love those glasses. Sadly they aren’t on the website any longer.
Todd,
Enjoying nosing around your site, so many delightful pleasures to be found!
Your writing and presentation have inspired me to make ALL of the cocktails.
I can’t wait to see what’s next! =)
Please, where did you get that glass? Between the glass and the drink it looks amazing
Vikki, I think I found this one at an estate sale…I’m always on the lookout 😉
Scratch that…just remembered it’s from Anthropologie! 😛
A very rare cocktail that retains that quality of charisma you see in James Bondesque martini all the while utilizing the sweeter notes from fresh fruit and the like. Lovely.
Hi Todd. Thanks for visiting my blog. It brought me here to yours hehe. Interesting blog! Nice looking drink! It sounds soooo good right about now. It looks so cold, refreshing, and tasty!
Aww, thanks for the kind words. The colder and more refreshing, the better!!
Yummmmm brandied cherries and cherry brandy, sounds like a great combo!
Where did you get that glasses?!!? And the recipe sounds amazing!